Anti-Angiogenesis Soluble Receptor

Neha Vapiwala, MD
The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Last Modified: September 27, 2005

VEGF Trap

VEGF Trap is a fully human fusion protein designed from components of VEGFR-1 and -2. It is soluble (travels freely in blood) and is able to bind VEGF-A more tightly than monoclonal antibodies. In addition to VEGF-A, this drug also blocks placental growth factor (PIGF), another angiogenic substance that is thought to play a role in tumor angiogenesis.

VEGF Trap has a relatively long half-life of approximately two weeks.

The MTD has not yet been reached, and the most common adverse events observed were fatigue, pain, and constipation.

There is an ongoing phase I, open-label, dose-escalation study of intravenous VEGF Trap in patients with advanced cancers are promising.

Preliminary efficacy analysis shows tumor size reduction and prolonged stable disease in some patients after single-agent VEGF Trap. One patient achieved a partial response with disappearance of ascites, two patients had minor responses, and one patient has maintained stable disease for over 11 months to date.